They are big cans ... we could slap a rocket motor on the bottom of an empty one, put in a window and a parachute recovery system, and have a pretty spacious capsule for launching three people and going for the X Prize.

Might be of interest to Robiwan... thanks to the clapped out railways (thank you Sir Richard!) I was bussing it back home from Brizzol. As we got off the M5, I saw the Nova rocket on its truck heading southbound. Could be appearing at a lame ass county show near you soon...

I would have thought it would be more cost effective in the long run to construct a permanent launch tower rather than hauling that thing all over the county. Besides, is it possible for a big enough tower for the Starchaser/Thunderstar to remain portable? It will be pretty big...

I paid for membership and am feeling a bit let down too. From what I have seen you are lucky to get 4 lines of information a month! Hopefully they are making serious progress and I still support them, I'm just a bit miffed that I put my money where my mouth is (and I don't have much!) and have very little to show for it... One born every minute I suppose.

my thinking is you will get your membership value if/when you get an invite to the next big launch test.....LES.

maybe the big engine test firings due first?

obviously the real satisfaction will be the 'real' launches hopefully in the next year but will it be in oz or new mexico?

In the not too distant past Starchaser seemed to be one of the few teams doing anything - or at least doing stuff that wasn't in total secret - The majority of the active X prize 'basic rocket set' are now getting to the test phases starchaser appeared to be at a while ago (some appear to be skipping the tests!)

bit bored of never getting an update from starchaser at the sec, though i love them to bits! anyone a member of the club want to share some info with us so we can get an idea of what information has been available to them? anything happened? have they mentioned the webcam? lol

any news on them moving to the US

any pics of development?

are members allowed to quote txt available to them and post them here or would that be rather fropwned upon, for the sake that if its good i may join?

The Starchaser factory was buzzing from 9:30am. As part of the R&D on our Launch Escape System we have been conducting a number of tests on a micro thruster unit in order to provide the data to finalise the design and build the full sized LES reaction/combustion chamber.

The LES is to be powered by HTP (High Test Peroxide). Work is proceeding on our own HTP processing plant but we secured a reasonable sized sample of 85% HTP to facilitate continued testing.

Previous tests have used 50% Hydrogen Peroxide and a silver mesh catalyst. The results of these tests didn’t produce the level of reaction required for usable thrust and proved the need for the higher percentage propulsion grade peroxide.

The first firing of the micro thruster was immediately different from pervious tests. The noise was considerably louder and the thrust plume contained significantly less water vapour. The test unit produced a peak of 7.5 kg with an average thrust of just less than 6kg. Four further tests were conducted which confirmed reproducibility.

We are currently designing a new catalyst pack for a series of additional tests over the coming weeks. It is hoped that the average thrust can be optimised to 13kg.

SITUATIONS VACANT :

HGV DRIVER / MAINTENANCE ENGINEER
Starchaser requires a Class 1 HGV driver with at least 2 years experience and a clean licence.
The ideal candidate will also have hands-on engineering / maintenance skills as both the vehicle and rocket require regular upkeep.
If you are interested in having a varied and exciting job then please apply as below.

EDUCATOR :
We have an immediate requirement for a FULL TIME PRESENTER - Based in Hyde, you will join a busy Outreach Team for a varied and exciting role within our growing Educational programme.

Starchaser also need a number of part time presenters to join our busy educational outreach team.
If you have your own transport, enjoy working with young people and are located within a 25 mile radius of any UK city please get in touch.

ROCKET SCIENTIST :
We also expect to have several full time openings in our rocket propulsion team early in the New Year.
We are looking for experienced engineers holding a good degree in either physics or an engineering discipline to assist in the development of our ground breaking liquid rocket engine programme.
Candidates should be hard working, enthusiastic and keen to open the frontier of space.

Finally got my magazine and a whole load of info from Starchaser, and the internet is working again! My confidence is restored and I was delighted to read the article proposing a DynaSoar style spaceplane they hope to develop! Our freinds in the North seem to have been very busy... keep at it!

The DynaSoar (Dynamic soaring?) was an American plan to bolt a spaceplane onto the end of a primary booster like a Redstone or what have you, and to seperate the spaceplane at an extremely high altitude and velocity to maximise the spaceplanes capabilities and resources in space. Starchaser think something similar could work with their own existing or an uprated booster. Seems to make sense, if the USAF wanted one, they probably figured out it is a practicle idea. I hope.

honest opinion here guys, do you think i should spend my hard earned (overdraft) on the starchaser club or going out for 2 nights on the razz!? is it realy worth joining the club or is it a bit of a waste?
Rob